A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth

February 14, 2012

Window On The World

Last week the 2011 World Press Photos of the Year were awarded. Not surprisingly, almost all represented the chaos and discouragement that abounds across the planet. I hoped to see something beautiful; something that gave me hope, but there was not one. In America, we live affluent lives according to the world's standards. And it's easy to get caught up in our busy, self-involved lives.
But as the media and our government is so fond of reminding us, the world is getting smaller and we are all soon to become "one world-wide community." Lord, help us, if these images become commonplace in our lives. So I invite you to gaze upon what the photographers across the globe have captured as representative of our modern existence.

Libyan rebels, who held out hope for weeks that the world

would come to their aid against Muammar Gaddafi.

The innocent and lifeless eyes of 9-year-old child brides.

Countries and international agreements have been unable

to stop this forbidden practice. It crosses continents, languages,

and religious boundaries.

Protesters in Cairo, Egypt's Tahrir Square.

The provocative photo of a bruised and gaunt drug addict

and sex worker in the Ukraine.

A photo of an arrest of protesters during a demonstration

against police tactics and income inequality in Harlem, New York City.

And the FIRST PLACE winner - a Yemenese woman holding

a wounded relative during protests against President Saleh.

I think we would all agree that these photos give amazing and astounding witness to the world in which we live. They are poignant; they show compassion, sadness, anger, fear and uncertainty. They capture, in living color, the issues of our day: the Arab Spring, Sex Trafficking, Women's Rights, and a growing unrest in our own country.

If these photos are correct, the world is spinning, faster and faster, towards chaos, war and despair.

But what can I, one woman, do to slow down the turmoil and lawlessness? True, I cannot effect change in the hearts of the despots of the world, or stop the hate that leads to violations against others that look, believe, or speak different than we do.

While it may seem insurmountable to stop the tide of Evil, we must not give up! There is Good in the world and it starts with us! I, for one, am choosing to reject these images as reflective of the world's nature. We are all made in the image of God and it His likeness I will strive to put on display.

And I want to leave you with one last image....of the good that one small woman can do in the midst of overwhelming hopelessness. Let her example be our inspiration.

"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving." ---- Mother Teresa

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

3 comments:

Thank you. We need to be reminded of the GOOD, even while there is so much evil to be seen today. It is easy to become discouraged, even when we know that God is in control, and we know that His good will conquer evil in the end. Even in the darkness, His light, shining through us, can not be extinguished. We can each be one candle for others to see.

This quote was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta: "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

By Pam Kohler

About Me

Christian, Conservative, American woman. I am awake and aware of the state of my country, and am determined to stand up for what I believe in. I will boldly proclaim the Truth of my Faith, and share the journey that my Lord is taking me on. I am not afraid to challenge old OR new belief systems, always using the Holy Scripture as my guide. I am firmly committed to being "in the world", but not "of the world". There is a purpose for my life, and I am determined to fulfill it. Join me on this journey in this crazy world, and let's see where God takes us!